Pinebrook Bulletins
Pinebrook gets funding nod from United Way
December 14, 2007: Pinebrook Services is one of the recipients of investment plan grants for the 2008-2011 award cycle, the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley announced. The award notice came after a rigorous two-year process that saw 89 programs funded out of 125 proposals submitted, versus 103 programs previously funded by the United Way.
Pinebrook proposed a truancy reduction pilot program in the high-risk Allentown school district under the United Way’s Youth Succeeding in School investment area. Called “Making the Grade,” the pilot will receive $20,000 for the first year (2008-2009), with an opportunity for increased funding in the next two years based on mutually agreed-upon outcomes.
The agency was one of only 10 newly qualified nonprofits to receive an award (out of 30 previously unfunded organizations that completed the United Way's stringent qualification review process). A total of 44 Youth Succeeding in School proposals were submitted, 31 of which were funded, including Pinebrook’s pilot program. “Our process elicited a major increase in the number of applicants, and all of the applicants deserve recognition for their interest and desire to make a difference,” said Susan Gilmore, president of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.
Making the Grade is a truancy-reduction family support program for middle school youth (ages 11-14) determined by the school to be truant, academically disengaged or at-risk of dropping out. It is an offshoot of the agency's highly successful Together Families Program. Making the Grade addresses key predictors of truancy via three components. The first is an assessment process that identifies youth and family strengths, needs and truancy risk-factors. The second prescribes an action plan to provide vital youth and family supports via short-term case management, information, referrals, individually tailored interventions such as social services, coaching, tutoring, etc. The third offers participation in Pinebrook's research-based, outcomes-supported services including home-based, individualized and small-group Family Life Education services for special populations, and the Summer Intervention Program (SIP), a seven-week, therapeutic day camp for at-risk youth.
"We look forward to partnering with the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley to implement Making the Grade,” said Bob Jacobs, the agency's Executive Director. “Our kudos go to the numerous community volunteers who served on the United Way review panel. The Lehigh Valley community is certainly better served because of their commitment to the well-being of the Valley’s growing population."
Congress names Pinebrook Angels in Adoption 2007
NBA All-Star Alonzo Mourning, soul singer Patti LaBelle, award-winning chef Marcus Samuelsson, Phantom of the Opera star David Gaschen, and the Lehigh Valley’s own Pinebrook Services for Children and Youth were among the individuals and agencies recently honored by Congress as 2007 recipients of the “Angels In Adoption” award during ceremonies held at the Reagan International Trade Building in Washington, D.C.
Given annually by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) based on nominations by representatives from all 50 states, the award recognizes “individuals, families or organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of children in need of permanent, loving homes.” Pinebrook Services, whose total finalized adoptions in 2006-2007 jumped 150% compared to the previous year, was nominated and endorsed by Congressman Charles Dent from Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District. Only four others were awarded the CCAI citation from Pennsylvania: Sue and Hector Badeau of Philadelphia (who adopted 20 children), nominated by Sen. Robert Casey and Rep. Chaka Fattah; Steven Dubin (a legal expert on adoption laws), nominated by Rep. Patrick Murphy; Betty Foo (who helps ease the process for families who adopted children from China), nominated by Sen. Arlen Specter; and Kelly Ulonska (a volunteer at the Children’s Home of Pittsburgh), nominated by Rep. Mike Doyle.
Past recipients of the Congressional Angels In Adoption award include First Lady Laura Bush, boxing legend Muhammad Ali, big-screen actors Bruce Willis and Jane Seymour, and Emmy-nominated actress Victoria Rowell, who served as keynote speaker at Pinebrook’s 28th Anniversary Luncheon on November 8.
A former foster child from ages 10 to 18, Mourning parlayed his NBA and USA Basketball credentials to establish the Alonzo Mourning Charities which, since 1997, has raised over $6 million on behalf of abused, abandoned and neglected children. Patti LaBelle was honored for championing adoption, foster care, Big Sisters and the United Negro College Fund. For its part, Pinebrook Services was cited in the nomination submitted to the CCAI “for its continuum of adoption services [which] begins with a carefully prepared Child and Family Profile which matches a child with the adoptive parents’ history, home life and strengths; training; casework; supervision; and post-permanency services [which] occur throughout the adoption process to ensure adoption stability. Post-adoption services include in-home respite care for special-needs children; by giving adoptive parents a much needed break, in-home respite care helps stabilize the bonding process.”
Pinebrook assisted 2,013 children and families in 2006-2007 across all programs including adoption, behavioral health, community-based and placement services. The agency, founded in 1979, reported an 18% increase in total clients served over the year before and service outcomes that either met or exceeded most state and federal standards required by the US Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA). For more information about Pinebrook’s programs, call 610-432-3919.
